Overview
Bring your students to discover the history, culture, and sacred traditions of central Italy while sharing your music with local audiences. Perform in Rome and Assisi, explore ancient Roman landmarks and Vatican City, and visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue through the Umbrian countryside to Orvieto and Perugia for a deeper look at Italy’s artistic and culinary heritage.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Rome)
Day 2
Arrive in Rome
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Rome city walk
Discover Rome’s iconic landmarks on a guided walk. At the Spanish Steps, see the “sinking ship” fountain, designed that way because of low water pressure that forced the artist to sink it below street level. Marvel at the Trevi Fountain’s Baroque grandeur, the Pantheon’s soaring dome, and Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers anchors the bustling square.
Day 3
Vatican City guided sightseeing tour
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, with its vast colonnades that seem to embrace the world. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s soaring dome, rising 452 feet above the ground, and his renowned Pietà. Then step into the Sistine Chapel, where the artist reluctantly painted frescoes that today stand among the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 4
Gelato making demonstration and tasting
Watch a gelato-making demonstration at an authentic working gelato laboratory and learn the art of Italian ice cream. See how gelato is made before enjoying a tasting of some of your favourite flavours.
Rome choir performance
Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.
Day 5
Travel to Assisi
A small town of narrow streets and medieval walls, Assisi might never have been famous had it not been the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. Today it is a major destination for religious pilgrims and art lovers alike. You’ll explore the Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century to hold the saint’s body. Ironically, the body was hidden so well in the basilica that it took 600 years of digging to find it.
Santa Severa excursion
Visit the coastal town of Santa Severa, a charming seaside destination along the Tyrrhenian Sea known for its medieval castle and scenic coastal views. Then visit a traditional olive oil mill to learn how extra virgin olive oil is produced, from olive cultivation to pressing, before enjoying a tasting of locally produced oils.
Olive oil mill visit and tasting
Visit a traditional olive oil mill to learn about the production of extra virgin olive oil, from olive cultivation to pressing. Enjoy a tasting of locally produced oils and discover one of the region’s most important culinary traditions.
Day 6
Assisi guided sightseeing tour
The medieval town of Assisi is closely tied to the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi. Carefully restored after the 1997 earthquake, Assisi’s narrow streets, hillside views, and lively piazzas reflect its lasting spiritual character. The guided tour includes visits to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, built in the 13th century to house the saint’s remains; the Basilica of Saint Clare, home to St. Clare’s tomb and St. Francis’s crucifix; and the Portiuncula, where the Franciscan movement began.
St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit
The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi was first built in 1228 when Pope Gregory IX laid the cornerstone of the Lower Basilica. St. Francis’s body was secretly moved here in 1230 to prevent looting. The Upper Basilica followed after 1239, and both churches were consecrated in 1253.
Assisi choir performance
Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.
Day 7
Orvieto excursion
High above the farmlands of Umbria sits the picturesque town of Orvieto. Ride the funicular up to the town and marvel at its stunning gold mosaics and intricate stone architecture.
Day 8
Travel to Rome
Perugia city walk
Chocolate factory tour and tasting
Discover Perugia's famous chocolate tradition with a visit to a local chocolate factory. Learn how cocoa is transformed into Italian favourites, including the city's beloved Baci Perugina, and enjoy a tasting of handcrafted chocolates.
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to and from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Rome and Assisi
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.